I love it when friends hound me about not having written a post in a while (it leads me to believe people are actually enjoying the fruits of my blog-labor. Or, at the very least looking at pics)…
Honestly: when I hold off on the new posts, it is usually because I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to read the latest, as it may include a contest, a good cause, etc.
Still, it has been a week since my last post. Everyone has had plenty of time to enter the Valentine’s Day Contest (which ends TONIGHT, by the way). So here I go…
Last weekend was spent with our good friend, John Erlandson (aka John E, aka Johnboy) from Evergreen, Colorado. We spent the first day in Boston, which was great, aside from being the COLDEST DAY of the YEAR. Bitter cold. But fun!
John E and Paul in Boston
Apparently it was too cold for me to hold the camera steady (see above). We warmed up with dinner and drinks at the Union Oyster House, America’s oldest restaurant, and right along the Freedom Trail. Mmmm, chowdah…
John E at the Union Oyster House
America’s Oldest Restaurant (Established 1826)
Notice how light it was outside. We had an early dinner, which means the drinking started a bit early as well. Still, we managed to visit some cool places before passing out at the Bulfinch Hotel well before midnight…
Cupcake Tower!
John and I saw this dazzling display at Lyndell’s Bakery (since 1887!) and just had to come in, get warm, and chat with the two lovely ladies behind the baked goods counter. John picked up some treats for us all to share later…good friend, that John E.
Heart Day Tribute
The cupcakes and St. Valentine were both found on Hanover Street, which is located in the Italian Section, also known as the North End of Boston. Needless to say, being there pleased me greatly.
We had a brilliant bottle of 2004 Morgante Nero D’Avola in Strega Ristorante, but I don’t take pictures in restaurants that have “The Godfather” playing on their bar TV. Just sayin’.
Quincy Market
Because it was so cold, we ended up at Quincy Market both days, mainly to get warm and grab some postcards. I love the cobblestone streets and can’t wait to get back to the Market in the springtime, when the street performers and vendors are back! Can’t wait to walk down the Freedom Trail with Paul, either.
And that is what the first 24 hours with John looked like. What did we do when we got to the House on the Bay? We watched concerts and movies and listened to music and went to Woods Hole and Falmouth; and then it all came to an end.
Three days may be long enough for the guys, but it went by too fast for me : (
Union Street, Boston
Boston + Seafood = YUM
View from the Cah - Heading Home
Pie in the Sky, Woods Hole, Cape Cod
It was cold when we got back home, too. Not as cold as Boston, but cold enough that my glasses were fogged up the entire time we were in this little bakery/cafe, which is about half an hour from the house. There was a sweet little old man snoring away at the window. Wanted desperately to take his pic, but restrained myself.
Captain Kidd, Woods Hole
By the way, Woods Hole is known for it’s Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), which is the largest private non-profit oceanographic institution in the WORLD. Cool, eh?
Lunch at the Silver Lounge in Falmouth
Our friend Frank used to live in this neck of the woods, and one of the first things he said to us when he found out we were caretaking in the area was “Be sure to stop by the Silver Lounge“. The food is yum and the waitstaff friendly. This is vintage Cape Cod and I can’t get enough. Hoping to meet Frank and the fam here for lunch one day soon.
Sing for me, John E!
I love music and John E loves to play, so having him all to ourselves was a real treat. I miss my musician friends something fierce, but am looking forward to seeing more great live music out this way, also. If any of you Capedwellers is looking for some fresh from Colorado talent, just let me know and I will hook it up!
Thank you for coming to visit, John E. I knew it all along…you are definitely not just a “fair-weather” friend!
Milo
PS Milo says hi and thanks for the walk! (FYI – this pic was taken on a much warmer day, for all of you animal lovers out there : )
Loved the photos of Boston!! I used to live there when I was a child…and just visited this fall! I love the Italian section of town…and of course the Freedom trail !! A nice reminder of the place I once lived! AHH the seafood!!!! chowda!!! ahh……great day for that today in snowy Colorado! Wood’s Hole is a fun spot too~!
thanks for the visit via John E’s visit!
xo
Sunny
Anytime, Sunny! It is fun being so close to everything – that is one of the bennies of the East Coast : ) Is your mom still living in NY?
The pictures are great and it looks and sounds like you all had a great time- even with the cold weather!
Laurie
We’re just getting started – this summer is going to be so much F U N!
Well Valynne, I’ve been reading all along and am thinking that you should be contemplating a travel book. Keep up the good writing – fun to see all of your adventures-what a life!! from snowy Evergreen, Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn; I would SO love to write a travel book. There is an online travel writing course coming up – it is through Gotham Writers Workshop/New York Times. Fingers crossed I scrape up the dough between now and the 23rd! In the meantime, I will keep doing what I am doing, formal training or no…ever aspiring to join the ranks of the international vagabonderie : )
Wish I were there. Say hi to John for me. Texas was great too. See you soon?! Love, Laura
I will tell Johnboy “hola” and am still waiting to hear more details on Texas (see my latest e-mail for your twenty questions). We are thinking about coming to CT for the St. Paddy’s Day Parade in Hartford – so much fun! Whadayathink?
*sigh* – cupcakes. and CHOWDA, yummers. agreed, it would be perfect for snowy colorado – it’s been coming down all day today. i love the North End in Boston. i was hoping you might have gone to Mike’s Pastry on hanover street. the pastry shop of all pastry shops. in my mind at least. you should see the lines to get into this place. ahhhhh. i’m off to dream of cannoli now. thanks for your reviews, now i’m jonesin’ for a trip. hugs!
I thought of you, girlfriend, when I took those cupcake pics! Didn’t make it to Mike’s, alas; we really just wandered around and strolled up and down sans agenda.
I kept tellin’ John that he really had to try a connoli but it never happened. You really can’t get a cannoli like that in CO…not that I know of anyway!